Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [37]
Hotel Adagio ★★ Our local hip-hotel company, Joie de Vivre, revamped every one of this 1929 Spanish Revival hotel’s 171 large, bright guest rooms in gorgeous modern style. Other pluses include firm mattresses, double-paned windows that open, quiet surroundings, iPod docks, Wi-Fi, and flatscreen TVs. Executive floors (7–16) also come with robes, upscale amenities, makeup mirrors, and stereos with iPod ports. Bathrooms are old but spotless and have resurfaced tubs. Feel like splurging? Go for one of the two penthouse-level suites; one has lovely terraces with a New York vibe. Adjacent Bar Adagio is a hip spot for cocktails, wines by the glass, and pizzettas, panini, and burgers. Tip: Rooms above the eighth floor have good, but not great, views of the city.
550 Geary St., San Francisco, CA 94102. www.thehoteladagio.com. 800/228-8830 or 415/775-5000. Fax 415/775-9388. 171 units. $139–$349 double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $39. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; concierge; fitness center; room service. In room: TV w/Nintendo and pay movies, CD player and/or MP3 docking station, fridge, hair dryer, free high-speed Internet, minibar.
Hotel Diva ★ A showbiz darling when it opened in 1985, the well-priced Diva is so sleek and ultramodern it won “Best Hotel Design” from Interiors magazine not long after it opened and is still as svelte as ever. A profusion of curvaceous glass, marble, and steel marks the lobby, and the minimalist rooms are spotless and neat, with cobalt blue carpets and Euro-chic furnishings of monochromatic colors, silver accents, and rolled steel. Each room is equipped with 36-inch flatscreen TVs, iPod alarm clocks, and blond-wood desks. The downside is that the rooms have views that make you want to keep the chic curtains closed. Services abound, ranging from fitness and business centers to four themed Diva Lounges for business (including 24-hr. free use of a computer) and pleasure. Families should inquire about their two-room Little Divas Suite designed for kids that can accommodate a family of four. A nice touch for music lovers, iPods are available at the front desk for $10 to $15 per day, complete with special Diva music mixes.
440 Geary St. (btw. Mason and Taylor sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.hoteldiva.com. 800/553-1900 or 415/885-0200. Fax 415/346-6613. 116 units. $159–$359 double; $199–$799 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35–$40. Bus: 38 or 38L. Cable car: Powell–Mason line. Amenities: Concierge; exercise room; free Wi-Fi. In room: A/C, TV/DVD/CD, hair dryer.
Hotel Rex ★ Joie de Vivre (JDV), the most creative hotel group in the city, is the brains behind this cleverly restored historic building, a restoration that was inspired by the San Francisco art and literary salons of the 1920s and 1930s. JDV kept some of the imported furnishings and the European boutique hotel ambience, but gave the lobby and rooms a major face-lift, adding the decorative flair that makes its hotels among the most popular in town. The clublike lobby lounge is modeled after a 1920s literary salon and is, like all the group’s properties, cleverly stylish. (They even host jazz artists Fri 6–8pm.) The guest rooms are above average in size, decorated with custom wall coverings, hand-painted lampshades, and works by local artists. If you have one of the rooms in the back, you’ll look out over a shady, peaceful courtyard. It’s also in a great location, situated near several fine galleries, theaters, and restaurants.
562 Sutter St. (btw. Powell and Mason sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.thehotelrex.com. 800/433-4434 or 415/433-4434. Fax 415/433-3695. 94 units. $139–$269 double; $400 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $36. Bus: 2, 3, 4, 30, 38, or 45. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (1 block east). Amenities: Concierge; access to nearby health club; room service. In room: TV w/pay movies, CD player, hair dryer, minibar, free